• Home
  • Science
  • Science News
  • Marsupial Mole’s Evolutionary Mystery Solved: Genetic Study Links to Bilbies and Bandicoots

Marsupial Mole’s Evolutionary Mystery Solved: Genetic Study Links to Bilbies and Bandicoots

Marsupial moles, elusive Australian mammals, are confirmed as true marsupials closely related to bilbies and bandicoots.

Facebook Gadgets360 Twitter Share Tweet Snapchat LinkedIn Reddit Comment google-newsGoogle News
Marsupial Mole’s Evolutionary Mystery Solved: Genetic Study Links to Bilbies and Bandicoots

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Jordan Whitt

The marsupial mole's unique features have fascinated scientists for years.

Highlights
  • Marsupial moles confirmed as true marsupials in new genetic study
  • Genetic link found between marsupial moles, bilbies, and bandicoots
  • Study explains unique adaptations for underground survival
Advertisement

A backward-facing pouch, specialised limbs for digging, and a button-like nose have made the marsupial mole of Australia a subject of intrigue and scientific curiosity for decades. Despite its name and mole-like appearance, this elusive animal has perplexed researchers trying to determine its place in the animal kingdom. Rarely seen in the wild, this subterranean creature remains unfamiliar even to many Australians, further deepening the mystery surrounding its origins and evolutionary lineage.

Genetic Study Places Marsupial Moles in a Unique Group

According to a genetic study published in Science Advances, the marsupial mole, belonging to the Notoryctes genus, is confirmed as a true marsupial and not closely related to other moles worldwide. Researchers, including Stephen Frankenberg, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Melbourne, utilised a frozen specimen from the South Australian Museum to conduct the study. The analysis revealed that while these creatures share some characteristics with other digging animals, they are more closely related to bandicoots and bilbies, both of which are marsupials.

Adaptations to Subterranean Life

As reported by Science News, the study noted that the marsupial mole exhibits remarkable adaptations to its underground lifestyle. These include a backward-facing pouch, which prevents soil from entering during burrowing, and the absence of external ears and functional eyes. Researchers also discovered an additional hemoglobin gene that might aid the animal in surviving in low-oxygen environments while burrowing through sand and soil.

Closer Relatives Found Above Ground

It was found that the closest relatives of the marsupial mole, such as the eastern barred bandicoot and the bilby, bear little resemblance to it. Bandicoots possess pointed snouts and functional eyes, while bilbies have large ears and a rabbit-like appearance. These findings highlight how life underground drives unique anatomical changes, distinguishing the marsupial mole from its daylight-dwelling relatives.

The study also connected marsupial moles to a group of marsupials that includes Tasmanian devils. According to David A. Duchêne, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of Copenhagen, the research underscores the dramatic transformations animals undergo when adapting to subterranean environments. This study adds a critical piece to the puzzle of marsupial evolution, shedding light on one of Australia's most enigmatic mammals.

Play Video

 

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Gadgets 360 Staff
The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More... more  »
Solar Storm Forecast to Trigger Northern Lights in Upper Midwest
Human Outer Ears May Have Evolved from Ancient Fish Gills, Study Finds

Advertisement

Follow Us

Advertisement

© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.
Trending Products »
Latest Tech News »